European Yacht of the Year 2027: The leading contenders, balancing speed and luxury

Above 15 metres, the shortlist for the European Yacht of the Year 2027 Award becomes exclusive. The cheapest boat in this group costs around 1.3 million euros, whilst the most expensive costs more than 2.3 million. However, money alone does not win the day. When put to the test on the water, the seven major nominees must demonstrate whether their construction, handling and sailing performance meet the respective requirements.

The candidates include two lightweight performance catamarans, three luxury fast cruisers and two yachts designed specifically for long-distance cruising. The shortlist show just how different modern sail designs can be, even over a distance of just a few metres. In the case of the medium-sized candidates Classic cruising yachts will go head-to-head with scows and comfort-oriented catamarans. Only after the test sails will it become clear in which categories these different designs will compete against one another.

Outremer 48: Lightweight construction for long daily legs

Outremer has a remarkable track record at the European Yacht of the Year awards. Five yachts from the French shipyard have already won awards. The new Outremer 48” also builds on the combination that has brought the brand its success: slender hulls, low weight and a powerful rig. Weighing in at 10.5 tonnes, the 15.10-metre-long catamaran remains very light for its volume. Flexible centreboards are designed to reduce leeway when sailing on a broad reach, whilst up to four tonnes of cargo capacity is provided for long voyages.

The Outremer 48 is available with ten different interior layouts. The MFS cabin – where MFS stands for ‘My Free Space’ – is particularly versatile. It can be used as a guest room, an office, a workshop, a children’s room or storage space. The helm can also be adjusted: the wheel can be stowed away in the sheltered cockpit, or alternatively, a tiller is available. The test will reveal just how fast and manoeuvrable the catamaran actually is.

Swan 51: A final project from the Ferragamo era

Leonardo Ferragamo commissioned the Swan 51 shortly before stepping down as the long-standing owner of Nautor. It replaces the Swan 48 and now forms the entry-level model in a range that only ends at 75 feet. Germán Frers designed an elegant cruising yacht with a mast set far aft and a well-balanced sail plan. Below deck, there are three cabins, two large bathrooms and an exquisitely finished interior.

In the The Swan 51 featured in the YACHT test She was already making good headway in winds of around ten knots. On the reach, she recorded 6.1 knots and a tack angle of around 80 degrees. With the Code Zero hoisted, she accelerated to up to 8.3 knots whilst remaining well-balanced. Less impressive were the somewhat stiff steering and the shallow cockpit coaming. By contrast, the build quality, fittings and technical installations meet the shipyard’s high standards.

Amel 50.2: Long-distance sailing concept with new lines

The Amel 50.2 follows on from the successful Amel 50, which has already been named European Yacht of the Year. Despite the familiar basic concept, this is not simply a facelift. Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design has redesigned the hull, making it wider and fitting it with a negative stem. The deep cockpit, sheltered by a fixed hardtop, remains, as does the central control layout designed for a small crew.

Below deck, the new model breaks more decisively with its predecessor. Rounded furniture, lacquered surfaces and integrated handrails characterise the open saloon. The owner’s cabin aft, the galley and the soundproofing have also been redesigned. The jury will also be testing how the new hull lines affect balance and seakeeping.

Ice 56: Sophisticated lightweight construction from Italy

The Ice 56 is designed as a fast all-rounder for regattas and longer voyages. It occupies a special place amongst luxury performance yachts. This Italian yacht, built in small batches, features the most sophisticated construction: carbon-hybrid fabric is laminated with epoxy resin under vacuum. This results in very light yet highly robust hulls. Consequently, the yacht, which is almost 17 metres long, weighs just 15.5 tonnes. With 177 square metres of sail area, it boasts the highest sail area ratio in this segment.

Despite its sporty design, the Ice 56 does not compromise on comfort below deck. Three cabins each have their own bathroom, whilst the owner’s cabin in the bow features a separate shower. Large windows flood the saloon with light, and there is a garage in the stern designed to accommodate a dinghy.

Solaris 55: Clean lines, sporty styling

The Solaris 55 features the Italian shipyard’s characteristic design language: a low cabin superstructure, wide decks and a tidy cockpit. Designer Javier Soto Acebal has given the bow more volume and extended the bilge lines along the entire length of the hull. This is intended to distribute the buoyancy more effectively and, above all, offer advantages on broad reaches. All lines run concealed to the helm stations, and a self-tacking jib comes as standard.

Below deck, there are three double cabins, each with its own en-suite bathroom and separate shower. In the forepeak, a crew cabin with its own toilet can be fitted in place of the sail storage. The A first in-depth look at the Solaris 55 displays a refined yet seaworthy design. Weighing in at 23 tonnes, the yacht is significantly heavier than the Ice 56, which is the same length. Whether it nevertheless sails with similar agility is one of the interesting questions raised by the comparison test.

Windelo 55 Sport: More speed for the Basalt catamaran

Windelo builds its catamaran hulls using basalt fibres and relies heavily on electrical systems and solar technology for its energy supply. The Windelo 55 Sport is based on the Windelo 54 but has been significantly modified to deliver greater performance. A longer waterline, a sharper bow shape and deeper, newly profiled centreboards are designed to provide greater speed. The mast and bowsprit are made of carbon fibre, whilst the structure and interior fittings have been made lighter.

Weighing 12.3 tonnes and with a sail area of 154 square metres, the catamaran is well-suited to achieving fast daily mileages. The design typical of Windelo, featuring a sheltered helm station in the forward saloon, has been retained. In the Launch of the Windelo 55 Sport However, there were also some key changes compared to the Windelo 54, such as a carbon rig, optimised attachments and a more aggressive hull shape.

First 60: More character for the flagship

Beneteau builds the First 60 based on the design of the Oceanis 60. Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento have redesigned the cockpit and fitted the yacht with a more powerful rig. The sheet winches stand freely on their own pedestals and are easily accessible from the helm. All lines run out of sight towards the stern, whilst the guest cockpit remains largely uncluttered.

The standard rig achieves a sporty sail area ratio of 4.9. Those seeking even more performance can opt for a performance rig with a carbon-fibre mast approximately one metre taller, which offers a correspondingly larger sail area. Below deck, the yacht offers three large double cabins, each with its own bathroom and separate shower. The galley spans the full width of the boat, whilst the stern houses a garage for a dinghy up to 3.20 metres in length.

Book recommendation

Blue-water sailing By Bobby Schenk, this book covers the technical and practical aspects of long-distance sailing trips. These include equipment, communication, weather, insurance and life on board over a period of several months.

Luxury, long-distance cruising or speed: which of the seven contenders takes your fancy? Join the discussion.